I did an interview with Howard Miller for Avatar Review in 2008. In it, I said

When I sent my manuscript out to a friend he said, “Are you aware how many times you mention death?” And then I did look at that and saw that I mention it a lot. Death, bones, blood. I don’t think I’m that morbid a person, but I do tend to be drawn toward extremely depressing, personally depressing, subject matter.

And

After realizing how dark and gloomy all of my work seemed to be, I made a conscious effort to lighten up. I haven’t been wholly successful, but I think my work is richer now.

Nine years after I published pseudophakia and seven years after claiming I was making an effort to lighten up, it’s time to admit the truth. “I haven’t been wholly successful” is the understatement of a lifetime. “I haven’t been at all successful” is more accurate. Maybe “I failed utterly” or “The level of failure I have demonstrated is remarkably immeasurable and startling” or “I suck at this ‘lightening up’ dealio.”

I am going to build some bright, bright new world
for us to sit in, shining like two shining lamps would
shine out in the dark. But without the dark. We will kick
quick shadows in the head and shine. And you will be
so bright, bright that I will see nothing but
the burnt-on green of your afterglow when I blink
scarred starry eyes at the scarlet flame of your face.

The letter came a few months after death.
Someone could walk. Someone could newly walk.
He would have been proud. Would have popped with pride.
Would have pointed to his legs and said
these things are miracles. We’re miracles.
Then settled himself atheistically
across the couch and, smiling, watched TV.

They have a generator up the street
because the power flickers at a cloud.
The surging rumble proves an indiscreet
reminder of their cellar, and the crowd
of cold cadavers, propped up under loud
flourescents buzzing like a waxing hive
for Tussaud masks. When thunder comes, I dive
into a book, turn TVs up, retreat
inside my head, afraid I’ll hear the drive
start up, or never start. Flicker. Repeat.